Exhibiting at International Food & Drink Event (IFE) 2025

Solomons Gold is a premium chocolate manufacturer and ethical social enterprise based in Mount Maunganui, New Zealand. The company is known for its direct-trade model, which empowers cacao farmers in the Solomon Islands while delivering pure, allergen-free chocolate products to conscious consumers worldwide. Solomons Gold is redefining sustainable luxury through its bean-to-bar philosophy, focusing on quality, traceability, and social impact.

Company Overview

Established to bridge the gap between ethical sourcing and gourmet quality, Solomons Gold was built on a partnership between New Zealand chocolatiers and cacao farming communities in the Solomon Islands. The company controls the entire supply chain—from cacao cultivation and fermentation in the Pacific Islands to chocolate production in New Zealand—ensuring full traceability and equitable value distribution.

Solomons Gold is among a select group of manufacturers globally producing 100% dairy-free, soy-free, nut-free, and gluten-free chocolate, catering to health-conscious consumers and those with dietary restrictions.

Core Business

Solomons Gold specializes in:

• Craft chocolate production using organic cacao beans
• Direct trade and ethical sourcing of cacao from the Solomon Islands
• Wholesale and retail distribution of chocolate bars, baking ingredients, and gift boxes

The brand is recognized for its high-quality dark chocolate range and its commitment to regenerative agricultural practices in the Pacific.

Product and Service Offerings

Solomons Gold offers a diverse line of chocolate products across three main categories:

• Chocolate Bars:

  • Dark Mylk 45%
  • Dark Nib 75%
  • Smooth Dark 70%
  • Dark Orange 70%
  • Dark Berry 70%

• Baking Products:

  • Dark Chocolate Pieces 65%
  • Dark Chocolate Buttons 70%
  • Soly’s Chocolate Swirls 70%

• Gift & Collection Boxes:

  • Classic Collection Mixed Box
  • The Velvet Range Mixed Box
  • Dark Mylk Collection Box

All products are free from common allergens and contain no refined sugar, with a focus on coconut sugar and natural ingredients.

Specialisation and Unique Selling Proposition (USP)

• Fully vertically integrated supply chain from farm to bar
• Single-origin cacao from the Solomon Islands, grown in rich volcanic soils
• All products are free from dairy, soy, gluten, and nuts
• Cacao cultivated without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers
• Focus on regenerative farming, supporting both biodiversity and farmer livelihoods

Solomons Gold combines artisan craftsmanship with a deeply ethical business model, distinguishing it from mass-market chocolate producers.

Financials and Market Performance

As a privately held company, detailed financials are not disclosed. However, indicators of market growth include:

• Expansion into Australia, United States, and Southeast Asia
• Growing retail footprint via natural food stores, specialty shops, and e-commerce platforms
• Strong performance in health food, allergy-free, and vegan product categories

The brand's niche in ethical, clean-label chocolate positions it well for continued growth, especially amid rising global demand for traceable and allergen-free products.

Export and Shipment Data

Solomons Gold exports chocolate products to multiple international markets:

• Key destinations include Australia, United States, Singapore, and Japan
• Uses cold-chain shipping and climate-controlled packaging for quality preservation
• All exported products adhere to international food safety standards
• Direct-to-consumer shipping via the company’s official online store

Export volumes are growing steadily due to increasing international recognition and partnerships with organic and specialty distributors.

Target Market

Solomons Gold targets:

• Health-conscious and allergen-sensitive consumers
• Ethical and sustainable product buyers
• Premium retail chains and gourmet food stores
• Vegan and clean-label markets
• Corporate gifting and conscious luxury segments

The brand is especially popular among parents, athletes, vegans, and individuals with food allergies.

Capabilities

• Dedicated chocolate manufacturing facility in Mount Maunganui
• On-the-ground operations and fermentation facilities in the Solomon Islands
• Custom packaging solutions for B2B and gifting
• Capacity for private label production and co-branding initiatives
• Full product traceability using batch coding and direct-source validation

Certifications and Compliance Records

While Solomons Gold products are crafted using organic cacao, formal certification details are not publicly listed. However, the brand emphasizes:

• Direct trade and ethical sourcing
• Compliance with New Zealand’s MPI food safety standards
• Production in allergen-free, HACCP-compliant facilities
• Commitment to sustainable and natural ingredients with no artificial preservatives

Future organic and Fairtrade certifications are anticipated as the company scales international operations.

Customer Testimonials

Customer reviews and retail feedback consistently highlight the brand’s quality and mission:

“Delicious, rich flavor with none of the allergens—finally a chocolate I can enjoy without worry.” — Customer, Wellington, NZ

“We love working with Solomons Gold. It’s a great ethical story that resonates with our eco-conscious clients.” — Distributor, Sydney, Australia

“I give these as gifts every Christmas. The packaging is elegant, and the chocolate is unbeatable.” — Online Buyer, California, USA

Major Achievements

• Developed a sustainable cacao value chain in the Solomon Islands involving over 100 smallholder farmers
• Expanded retail presence in over 200 stores across New Zealand and Australia
• Featured in natural health expos and organic food festivals in the Pacific region
• Recognized by New Zealand Trade & Enterprise (NZTE) as an emerging global brand
• Supported education and infrastructure programs in cacao-growing villages through direct reinvestment

Solomons Gold exemplifies how premium quality and social responsibility can coexist in modern food production. With every bar crafted to deliver rich flavor and greater purpose, the company continues to shine as a leader in ethical chocolate innovation.